Mobile Communication System and Method of Gaffe Prevention

ABSTRACT

A system and method for transmitting and receiving communications via an application running on a mobile device is described. The system equips a user with tools configured to facilitate the editing of transmitted messages, the transmission of messages at a user-selected time, messages configured to automatically expire at a user-specified time after the recipient has opened the messages, and messages and social media posts screened for black-listed alert words. Blip messages are designed to leave no trace of their transmission or reception, and preferably expire after the sender-defined view time has passed. The system is envisioned for use across multiple platforms including social media and internet messaging, and is not limited to the mobile messaging market.

CONTINUITY

This application is a continuation of non-provisional patent applicationSer. No. 15/854,026, filed on Dec. 26, 2017, which is of provisionalpatent application No. 62/441,129, filed on Dec. 30, 2016, and priorityis claimed thereto.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and system of conveyinginformation, and more specifically relates to a means by which a usermay convey text and/or audio-visual messages to another user whichexpire according to a pre-established timer, are encrypted, are editablepost transmission, and may optionally be filtered for key alert words,via mobile devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Messaging is one of a bundle of services that are provided with cellularphone services. Messaging may be estimated as a $300 Billion dollarindustry, and it shows no sign of abating. Indeed, messaging itself isestimated to grow by almost an additional $30 billion per year in theupcoming years.

However, it is known that many consumers desire more control over theirmessaging. This need stems from such rationales as the risk of sendingthe wrong message to an incorrect recipient, sending an unartfullyworded message, or sending a message composed when the writer is in anagitated emotional state or an otherwise regrettable message. Thissimilarly extends to unintended or hasty social media posts, which maycontain words that can get the sending individual in trouble personally,professionally, or socially. Occasionally, an individual may send amessage (or submit a social media post) and ultimately wish that he orshe could remove a message from the device of the receiverpost-transmission. Often, by taking a little bit of extra time to thinkabout a message or post that has been composed before it is actuallysent or posted can nudge the individual away from making a criticalmistake.

Every person who uses messaging or social media is at risk to theseproblems. Presently, there are approximately 6.8 billion active mobilesubscriptions among a population of 7.25 billion human beings. If therewere a way in which users could ensure that incorrect messages, poorlywritten messages, or messages/social media posts containing detrimentalwording are not sent, either by accident or otherwise, the use ofmessaging and social media on mobile devices could be greatly enhanced.Additionally, if users were afforded the ability to edit messagespost-transmission, users could effectively avert disaster in the eventthat a message is sent to the incorrect recipient, or a message is sentto a recipient that contains inappropriate or undesirable content.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a messaging and social media alertsystem solution that addresses deficiencies of prior art messagingtechnologies. Such a system is preferably equipped with featuresconfigured to facilitate safe and effective message transmission andreception. Features of such a system preferably include the ability toedit sent messages, the ability to send messages at a pre-establishedtime in the future, the ability to send messages configured to expireafter a pre-established time period has passed after opening thereceived message, and the ability to blacklist specific words and bealerted to their use within a message or social media post prior tomessage transmission.

While some features of the present invention are found within knownmessaging platforms, no messaging service presently available offersusers the same amount of control over sent messages as does the presentinvention. For example, the popular social networking mobile deviceapplication Snapchat™, by Snap, Inc, affords users the capacity totransmit messages that expire within a defined time limit which is setby the sender. The recipient may only view the message for the durationof the time allotted by the sender. However, once the message is sent,the sender no longer has any control over the message beyond theuser-selected view time duration. At any point during this view time,the recipient may capture a screenshot of the message, permanentlysaving the message to his or her device memory, effectively defeatingthe purpose of the message's expiration time. The sender is alerted tothe screenshot, however the damage is done, and the sender is helplessto retain control of the prominence or sharing of the message.Additionally, Snapchat's limited messaging control features do notextend beyond the Snapchat app itself.

This is in stark contrast to the present invention, which affords theuser much greater control over social media posts and messages,including expiring messages, even after they are sent. The option for arecipient (or indeed any user) to take a screenshot is never providedwithin the application of the present invention, unlike the prior art.Instead, if a recipient desires to save an expiring message, he or shemust submit a request to the sender to obtain permission to save themessage. If the sender provides this permission, the present inventionallows the recipient to save the message easily within the application,without the use of a screenshot. If permission is not obtained from thesender, the message expires and is deleted permanently from therecipient's device.

Additionally, the solution provided by the present invention enablesusers to edit and/or delete messages after they have been sent to therecipient, unlike any present messaging solution on the market. Thestatus of messages, including blip messages, is shown to the sender inorder to provide the sender with full control and knowledge of thestatus of the message. As such, each message displays message statusesincluding ‘message sent,’ ‘message seen,’ (read), and ‘message received’(unseen). Such features provide users ideal control and freedom overtheir messages to the extent that users have a much greater chance ofavoiding regret or penalty for the messages they send than withconventional messaging applications.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and system for sending andreceiving communications, including but not limited to text basedmessages (chats), images, audio, and video via a mobile deviceapplication installed on a compatible mobile device. Messages and socialmedia posts transmitted via the system of the present invention maytherefore include one or more of the following: video, voice memo, music(mp3, etc), .gif files, stickers, document files (pdf, xls, doc,), maps(locations), contact card info, and other similar digital files. Inaddition to conventional messaging application features, the presentinvention is equipped with Blips (messages that expire within a limitedtime span in which the message may be viewed by the recipient),black-listed word alerts, and timed messages. Perhaps most importantly,the system of the present invention affords the user the capacity toamend messages (edit and/or delete) after they have been sent to therecipient (or even read by the recipient), providing a great level ofmessage control to the user. This remains true regardless of how deepthe message may get buried by subsequent messages within the chathistory or conversation of the chat, or how much time has passed—at anytime the sender wishes, he or she may delete any message from both thesender's and receiver's devices. When a user deletes a message, he orshe may select to delete the message from his/her device, it is alsodeleted from the sender's device. If the recipient opts to delete areceived message, the message is not deleted from the sender's device.In any instance of a deletion, no trace of the message is left withinthe conversation thread. Additionally, the recipient is not informedwhen a message is deleted on his or her device by request of the sender.

Additional features of the present invention preferably include groupmessaging, SMS messaging (to native mobile device SMS applications), andpredictive alert word recognition. It is envisioned that the system ofthe present invention will preferably be configured to work with socialmedia communications, email communications, and internet (such asmessage board) communications with APIs used natively through the mobiledevice application of the present invention, or outside of theapplication with an expansion subscription (Twitter™, Facebook™,Instagram™, Pinterest™, LinkedIn™, Yelp™, Google™ Chrome™, Apple™Safari™, Gmail™, AOL™ mail, etc.) to provide the user with a higherlevel of message control than is provided by default from theseservices. The features of the present invention are described in detailin the detailed description portion of the application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood with reference to theappended drawing sheets, wherein:

FIG. 1 exhibits a mobile device that includes a block diagram of fourareas of communications enhancement of the cell phone application of thepresent invention, namely: a messaging control, an alert words control,a blip control, and a timer control.

FIG. 2A illustrates a first stage of an example screen interface of themessage control of the present invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a second stage of an example screen interface of themessage control of the present invention, showing edits madepost-transmission.

FIG. 2C illustrates a third stage of an example screen interface of thepresent invention, showing the edited message marked as ‘edited.’

FIG. 3A illustrates a stage of an example screen interface of the alertwords control of the present invention.

FIG. 3B illustrates a stage of an example screen interface of the alertwords control of the present invention.

FIG. 4A illustrates a stage of an example screen interfaces of the blipcontrol of the present invention.

FIG. 4B illustrates a stage of an example screen interfaces of the blipcontrol of the present invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates a first stage of an example screen interface of thetimer control of the present invention.

FIG. 5B illustrates a second stage of an example screen interface of thetimer control of the present invention.

FIG. 5C illustrates a third stage of an example screen interface of thetimer control of the present invention.

FIG. 5D illustrates a fourth stage of an example screen interface of thetimer control of the present invention.

FIG. 5E illustrates a fifth stage of an example screen interface of thetimer control of the present invention.

FIG. 6A contains example code used in the creation of the messagingcontrol of the present invention.

FIG. 6B contains example code used in the creation of the messagingcontrol of the present invention.

FIG. 6C contains example code used in the creation of the messagingcontrol of the present invention.

FIG. 6D contains example code used in the creation of the messagingcontrol of the present invention.

FIG. 6E contains example code used in the creation of the messagingcontrol of the present invention.

FIG. 6F contains example code used in the creation of the messagingcontrol of the present invention.

FIG. 6G contains example code used in the creation of the messagingcontrol of the present invention.

FIG. 6H contains example code used in the creation of the messagingcontrol of the present invention.

FIG. 6I contains example code used in the creation of the messagingcontrol of the present invention.

FIG. 7A contains example code of the alert words control of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7B contains example code of the alert words control of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7C contains example code of the alert words control of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7D contains example code of the blip control of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7E contains example code of the blip control of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7F contains example code of the blip control of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7H contains example code of the timer control of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7I contains example code of the timer control of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a cellular phone in which the messagingcontrol, alert words control, blip control, and timer control of thecellular application can operate.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a system wherein the cellular phone canoperate, wherein the cellular phone having the app, wherein the cellularphone application includes the messaging control, alert words control,blip control, and timer control.

FIG. 10 illustrates a transition of example entry interfaces of the app.

FIG. 11 illustrates further entry interfaces and a list of transitioninterfaces on the app 101.

FIG. 12 illustrates example messaging within the messaging control.

FIG. 13 illustrates editing and/or deleting messages within themessaging control.

FIG. 14 illustrates example alert screens of the alert words controlwith freeflow control enabled.

FIG. 15 illustrates a message that is about to be sent out with freeflowcontrol enabled.

FIG. 16 illustrates a resulting detection of an alert word by the alertwords control 120.

FIG. 17 illustrates options that may be taken when the alert word isdetected.

FIG. 18 illustrates screens of adding an alert word within the alertwords control 120.

FIG. 19 illustrates further screens of adding the alert word.

FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative flow wherein an alert word is definedfor messaging within the messaging control, but not for blips within thealert words control of the present invention.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example contract profile page of the app of thepresent invention.

FIG. 22 illustrates example transitions of receiving further informationand options associated with a particular contact of the app of thepresent invention.

FIG. 23 illustrates introductory interfaces for the blip control of thepresent invention.

FIG. 24 illustrates a composition interface for the blip control of thepresent invention, including a blip duration programming state.

FIG. 25 illustrates example interfaces of the blip control of thepresent invention as seen by a sender of blips.

FIG. 26 illustrates example interfaces of the blip control of thepresent invention as seen by a receiver of blips.

FIG. 27 illustrates introductory screens of a timer of the timer control140 of the app of the present invention.

FIG. 28 illustrates entering time to send information and messages intothe timer control.

FIG. 29 illustrates editing and deleting time to send information andmessages into the timer control.

FIG. 30 illustrates a user profile page displayed within the applicationof the present invention, shown on a mobile device.

FIG. 31 illustrates an overall state diagram of the system and platformof the present invention.

FIG. 32 depicts a view of the trending alert words list and menu of thepresent invention.

FIG. 33 exhibits a view of the trending alert pop-up dialog, includingan explanation as to the reasoning behind the alert.

FIG. 34 presents a view of a standard alert pop-up dialog triggered byan employer-curated or user-curated alert word.

FIG. 35 details a view of the ‘ALL’ alerts screen, showing all alertwords currently in use for the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a communication system to be used by users viaa network-connected device, preferably a mobile device (100). The systemprovides users with a variety of message-based services and featuresthat are configured to facilitate greater control over the user'smessages, both before and after the messages are sent to recipients.Additionally, the system provides users with the ability to filter andevaluate pending social media posts prior to submission. The system ofthe present invention enables users to transmit and receive a wideassortment of media forms beyond text, including but not limited tovideos, voice memos, music (mp3, .WMA, .wav, etc), .gif files, stickers,document files (pdf, xls, doc,), maps (locations), contact cardinformation, and other similar digital files.

A mobile device (100), notably a cellular (“cell”) phone, is illustratedin FIG. 1. The mobile device (100) is illustrated as including a userapplication (“app”) (101), which is in turn illustrated as having ablock diagram that includes a messaging control (110), an alert wordscontrol (120), a blips control (130), and a timer control (140). Theapplication (101) of the present invention is configured to interfacewith a server via the internet to facilitate message transmission and/orsocial media post submission. Each of these controls (110-140) withinthe application (101) affords users greater flexibility and control oversocial media posts to be submitted, messages to be sent, as well as overmessages that have already been sent, than that of the prior art. Theapp (101) generally includes editing/deleting control oversent/received/seen or unsent messages. Additionally, the user isprompted to “edit,” “delete,” or “send as-is” a message or social mediapost if the system detects the presence of an alert word (155) withinthe message or social media post.

Via these controls (110-140), the present invention enables users tosend and receive two primary forms of transmissions within theapplication (101) itself: Blips (transmissions designed to expire, andtherefore be automatically deleted after a user-selected time period haselapsed) and messages. Both forms of transmissions may be configured tobe sent at a user-defined time in the future via the timer control(140). Similarly, portions of these features are available to socialmedia avenues of communication and posting.

The messaging control (110) of the app (101) allows a user to delete oredit messages that have already been sent, on both the sending device,such as the mobile device (100), and a second device, such as a secondcell phone or receiving mobile device (not illustrated), referenced asthe receiver or recipient. The messaging control (110) allows a userediting control over each sent message, as will be discussed below.

The alert words control (120) allows for programming and/or detectingalert words (155) that will stop or delay a message if specific alertwords (155) are contained with the message, and further informing theuser that an alert word has been detected in a message, thereby allowingthe user to reconsider use of the word within the message.

Alert words control (120) provides for the creation and activation ofalert words in three groups: user-curated alert words, employer-curatedalert words, and trending alert words. Words within groups may overlap.In one aspect, the alert words control (120) allows for entry of, anddetection for, a personal list of words and/or symbols that couldimpulsively be sent by a user by mistake or without taking sufficienttime to think about an outcome. With the alert words control (120),previously-identified suspect words (referenced as alert words (155))are detected within a message before the communication (message orsocial media post) containing these suspect words is sent, and users areprovided the option to either “Send”, “Edit” or “Delete” the personal orsocial message. The user may select which words should be black-listedas alert words (155) via the alert words control (120) by manuallytyping the alert words (155), and adding them to an alert words list(165). An add button (185) facilitates the addition of an alert word(155) to the alert words list (165) manually as shown in FIG. 33.Similarly, for the employer-curated alert words, a manager or HRrepresentative of the user's workplace may institute their own alertwords to ensure taboo or negative posts and messages are notcommunicated, preventing potential PR issues. An alert words list may beunique for each contact, or may be generalized for use in allconversations with all contacts. Additionally, it is envisioned thatsome embodiments of the present invention may automatically add certainwords to an alert words list (165) based on machine learning inferredfrom previous conversations.

Similarly, the third type of alert words (155), the trending alertwords, is preferably curated in response to current events, andtherefore requires carefully timed curation to be effective. Trendingalert words are special in that a user may opt-in, whether through asubscription-based model or otherwise, and can then import and sync alist of alert words based on local, national, and worldwide eventscurrently occurring, enabling the trending alert words set to betailored to the present day. As such, trending alert words are helpfulto users when something is happening that is sensitive, and the user isnot even aware of the news event. In such instances, upon attempting touse a trending alert word within a message or social media post, theuser is alerted (just as with user-curated alert words oremployer-curated alert words) with a pop-up dialog (145). However, giventhat the user may not be aware of the rationale behind the alert, theuser is provided the option to expand the pop-up dialog, which thenprovides an explanation (175) as to why the user may not wish to sendthe message or submit the social media post, as shown in FIG. 33. Theexplanation may include a link to a current news story to furtherexplain the situation prompting the inclusion of the word in thetrending alert words list. Alternately, the explanation may simply beported from the news story itself, and textually depicted within thepop-up dialog (145) as shown in FIG. 33.

The trending alert words list is preferably curated in part according tothe geographical location of the user, which is preferably accomplishedvia geolocation of the user's triangulated network location and/or GPSfix as provided by the hardware of the mobile device (100) of the user.

The trending alert words list is configured to be constantly updating,and is automatically synced (pushed) to the mobile device of the uservia the application (101). The user may select when and at what intervalthe trending alert words list is conveyed to the application (101) ifdesired—otherwise, the trending alert words list will updateautomatically as updates become available. The trending alert words listis preferably synced directly from servers in communication with theapplication (101) of the present invention. The mechanism by which thetrending alert words list is updated is preferably a skimming programemploying an algorithm configured to scan high profile news stories froma variety of news sources, and scrape off terms to be designated astrending alert words. Additionally, there may be a human elementinvolved in the curation of the trending alert words list to verify theaccuracy of the algorithm.

The skimming program is preferably configured to scrape applicable newsarticles based on geolocation. If the user opts-in to global/nationalevents, the trending alert words list is broadened to include wordsrelevant on a global and national scale. This is pertinent for socialmedia posts, as those are the most prone to being viewed by a globalaudience. Users are preferably provided the option to manually parse thelist to decide independently what is relevant. Alternately, the user mayselect ‘all’ as a generality so that all of the trending alert wordsapply.

It should be understood that the employer-curated alert words aremanually curated by the employer of the user. In such instances, thepresent invention functions as a SaaS (Service as a Software) solutionby which employers contributed to a subscription model for theiremployees to all have the system of the present invention installed ontheir mobile devices with the intention of preventing gaffes andcorporate embarrassment. As such, administrators, on behalf of (andlikely employed by) the employer may manually curate their respectivelist of employer-curated alert words. Similarly, such administrators maythemselves receive alerts via the system of the present inventionregarding questionable posts and messages being sent by employees sothat the staff may have the final say or approval on certaintransmissions.

Additionally, it should be understood that the alert words feature ofthe present invention is configured to be useful within any and alltext-based communications achievable via the mobile device (100) of theuser. As such, alert word detection is made available to otherapplications and services via plugins and/or APIs where applicable. Forexample, if the user wishes to write a post to a forum within adedicated forum application, such as the Reddit™ application, or to amessage board via a browser of the mobile device (100), the alert wordsfeature of the present invention may be configured to alert the user ifa defined alert word (155) is detected within the written post. Just aswithin the application (101) of the present invention, upon detection ofan alert word (155) within the forum post or message board post, thepresent invention displays a pop-up dialog as shown in FIG. 34),alerting the user to the use of one or more alert words (155) within thepost, and providing the user the option to edit the forum or messageboard post before publicly posting the message to the internet, delete,or send as-is.

Similarly, alert words (155) may be employed by the user for any and allsocial media posts, both from within their respective applications (viaone or more APIs) or the browser. Additionally, the application (101)itself of the present invention is preferably equipped with social mediaintegration. As such, users may navigate to a ‘Post to Facebook™’section, in which users may craft a message to be posted to the socialmedia network Facebook while within the application (101), enablingusers to take advantage of the features of the present invention, suchas alert words, for crafting publicly accessible online posts. Postingto Facebook™ should be understood to be an example, and the system ofthe present invention may facilitate posts to any and all social medianetworks capable of providing an API.

Additionally, users may activate a universal alert setting which issuesan alert prior to the message transmission and/or post submission of anystatement. The universal alert setting forces the user to review eachmessage and post via a blanket alert pop-up dialog, even if no alertwords are present within the message or post. The universal alertsetting may be activated for each plug-in application. For example, auser may wish to activate the universal alert setting for Twitter™, butleave the option disabled for messages and Facebook™ posts.

The blip control (130) feature of the present invention enables users togenerate a one-time, self-destructing message that expires within auser-selected time period. For example, a message sent via the blipcontrol (130) is preferably configured to expire one to nine secondsafter the message is viewed by the recipient. The user can also sendimages, voice, text, location, contacts, maps, or other data via theblip control (130). Once the blip has expired, it is permanently deletedfrom the receiving device, and any intervening devices (including thetransmission server), thereby becoming permanently deleted. Any datathat was included in the blip, including images, video, voice, or otherdata is also removed from the receiving device at the time ofexpiration.

Unlike similar expiring messages disclosed in the prior art, the blipsof the present invention afford the user great control over blipmessages post-transmission. Similar to non-expiring messages sent viathe present invention, blip messages may also be deleted and/or edited,even after they have been sent to the recipient, as long as therecipient has yet to view the blip message. Additionally, unlikeexpiring messages of the prior art, screenshots are permanently disabledwithin the application (101) of the present invention, which eliminatesthe potential for the recipient to permanently save and/or share theblip message without permission. While some instances of the prior artenable the deletion of a message, such as WhatsApp™, the period ofdeletion is limited to seven minutes. This is in contrast to the presentinvention, which has no limit on the period of deletion.

However, also contrary to messaging services of the prior art, arecipient of a blip message may request permission to save the blipmessage by petitioning the sender via the application (101). Theapplication (101) refers to saved blip messages as ‘stickits’. Uponreceiving a blip, the recipient may select ‘request stickit,’ an optionpreferably provided at the bottom of the blip message. Upon selection of‘request stickit,’ a request is sent to the sender of the blip,informing the sender of the recipient's desire to save the message.During this time, the blip message is preferably grayed out on therecipient's device, stating ‘stickit pending.’ The blip messagepreferably remains in the recipient's inbox, but may not be viewed againuntil permission is granted. The sender may opt to grant the recipient'srequest, at which point the recipient may save the blip message to theinternal memory of his/her device. Alternatively, the sender may opt todecline the stickit request of the recipient, at which point the statusof ‘stickit pending’ on the device of the recipient is changed to state‘stickit denied.’ In short, if the sender provides permission, thepresent invention allows the recipient to save the message easily withinthe application to device memory or cloud storage, without the use of ascreenshot. If permission is not obtained from the sender, the messageexpires and is deleted permanently from all devices. In some embodimentsof the present invention, the sender may revoke permission—even after itis granted. In such scenarios, the saved stickit is deleted from therecipient's device with or without notification to the recipient.

The timer control (140) of the present invention can work in concordancewith communications, such as those generated by the messaging control(110), alert words control (120), or blip control (130), to send acommunication at a specified time in the future. In some aspects, thetimer control (140) can notify a user when a message is close to beingsent, such as within one hour. The timer control (140) notifies andillustrates to the user when a message will be sent—from years into thefuture, down to one second—which is shown for each individual messagethat is pending in the timer queue.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example communication in a screen interface ofthe app (101) of the present invention that a user might be shown on thescreen of the mobile device within the messaging control (110). As isillustrated, there is an unfortunate social gaffe made in messageballoon (210). The response to the social gaffe is made by the otherparty in message balloon (220).

In FIG. 2B, the user, realizing that he has made a social gaffe, taps onthe message balloon (210), thereby invoking editing tools (205). Editingtools (205) enable the user to edit the message, as is illustrated inmessage balloon (215).

In FIG. 2C, a screen interface of the app (101) is shown in which theuser enters the edited message balloon (215), which then becomes themessage balloon (230), as is illustrated on both the sender's andreceiver's mobile devices. In some aspects, there is an indication of anedit of the message that had previously occurred in the conversation,such as here, wherein the application (101) displays a time at which theedit was made by the sender. In some further aspects, edit histories areavailable to either and/or both parties to the communications.

Selecting individual message balloons allows for editing of individualtext or other messages as part of an ongoing conversation. This isunlike prior technologies, wherein at best users might be able to deletean entire conversation, but does not allow for editing of individualmessages within a conversation, especially post-transmission. Thisadvantageously allows for flexibility and control, even after thetransmission of and reading, or not reading, of messages.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example screen interface of the app (101) that isemployed by the alert words control (120), wherein a user in a fit ofpique sends a message to his purportedly abusive supervisor.Specifically, the words: “I quit.” In messaging platforms of the priorart, such a messaging containing the words “I quit” would have beensent, and that could very well spell the demise of what had been, up tothat point, a stellar career.

The alert word control (120) of the present invention detects selectedwords or phrases that could be detrimental to a user, such as byscanning an alert word registry or ‘black list.’ In the illustratedexample, one of these alert words is “quit.” Therefore, in FIG. 3B, analert screen (320) sends a warning to a user, asking if the user trulywants to send a message with the word “quit” in it. The user can then bepresented with selecting from one of three options: send, edit, ordelete.

In a further aspect, the alert word control (120) is programmed, eitherby a user or remotely, such as by a remote server, to further recognizetrending words, and to enter them into the alert word registryautomatically.

In a yet further aspect, multiple users can share at least in part ashared registry of alert words. This can be especially useful in acorporate environment, wherein multiple users are working within thesame company.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example of a screen interface of the app (101) ofthe present invention pertaining to a user employing the blip control(130), wherein the user sends a message (410), that for whatever reason,the user would prefer that there to be no permanent record that themessage was sent nor received.

In FIG. 4B, as is illustrated, after being read by the recipient, theblip is deleted from the receiver communications device at the commandof the blip control (130), and moreover, the blip message is itselfdeleted from any intervening servers. In one aspect, the receivingdevice informs an intermediate server that the message has been read oracknowledged, upon which the intervening server deletes the mention andcontent of the blip message. In one example, the blip disappears fiveseconds after being read. The expiration or ‘read time’ of the blip ispreferably specified by the user sending the blip.

FIG. 5A illustrates a screen interface (510) of the app (101), generatedby the timer control (140), wherein a selection box is presented to auser, wherein either a message or a blip is selected, and then a composebutton is selected.

FIG. 5B illustrates a next screen interface generated by the timercontrol (140), wherein a user, perhaps again in a fit of pique, writesto his HR department at AnyCompany, that “I hereby resign . . . ” in amessage (520). Once this is drafted, he then selects a set time (530).The set timer (530) invokes the next interface.

FIG. 5C illustrates an example next screen interface generated by thetimer control (140) of the present invention, wherein a time programminginterface (540) can accept a user-selected time to send out a timedelayed message. Whatever time is indicated by the time programminginterface (540), before being set by a set time (560), is illustrated ondelivery time output (550). In some further aspects, this will include atime-to-go calculator (555).

FIG. 5D illustrates a screen interface employing the timer control (140)having the message (520). As illustrated, there is a countdown control(525) associated with the message (520). The countdown control (525)informs a user how long until a message will be sent by the timercontrol (140) of the device (100) to the selected recipient, in thisillustrated example, HR of AnyCompany.

FIG. 5D further illustrates a second example message (527) that isstored for later conveyance by the control timer (140). In this examplemessage (527), a countdown control (529) says that the example message(527) will be sent at a certain time period, in this case, one year, 15days.

In some further aspects, the timer control (215) has a timer alarm(550). The timer alarm (150) denotes the length of time until a nextpending message is sent by the timer control (140). In some aspects, thetimer alarm (140) has three states: a first state if a first pendingmessage is to be sent within 59 minutes to five minutes; a second stateif the first pending message is to be sent within a time equal to orlesser than four minutes and 59 seconds; and a third state if the firstpending message is to be sent after one hour or more. In all furtheraspects, if the message is to be sent within an hour, the timer alarm(550) will alert the user that a message is due to be sent within thehour on a main interface of the device (100). It should be noted thatthe next timer message to be sent is always displayed on a maininterface of the device (100), regardless of how much time remains untilthe message is to be sent. Therefore, the state of the most recent timedmessage to be sent is listed on the main interface.

Additionally, the timer control (140) of the present invention ispreferably capable of interfacing with a calendar of the user, such asGoogle™ Calendar, Microsoft™ Outlook™, or other known digital calendars.In such instances, after a timed message has been set via the timerinterface (140), a calendar entry is added to the calendar of the userthat denotes the date and time at which the timed message is set to betransmitted to the recipient. This feature of the present invention maybe optionally activated at the will of the user, preferably from withinthe timer control (140) of the application (101). Timer to calendarintegration is preferably accomplished via APIs corresponding to therespective calendar, such as Google Calendar API, Outlook REST API, etc.

Similarly, further calendar integration is preferably provided by thesystem of the present invention, namely automatic calendar appointmentgeneration based on the presence of a date format (i.e. ‘MM/DD/YY,’‘DD/MM/YY,’ ‘MM/DD/YYYY,’ ‘Month, Day, Year,’ ‘00:00 time’ etc.) withina message or blip. For example, if a user receives a message containinga known date format, the application (101) is preferably configured toprompt the user with a dialog box asking the user if he/she wishes toadd the date to his or her calendar as an appointment. If the userselects ‘yes,’ a calendar API is employed to automatically begin a newcalendar entry for the date and time indicated within the message.Preferably, the user is then redirected to the calendar application,which then displays the new calendar entry in progress, prepopulatedwith the date and time fields from the received message. The user maythen add additional details to the calendar entry, such as a titleand/or notes. Upon saving the calendar entry, the user is thenpreferably redirected to the application (101). Optionally, this featuremay be enabled to create a new calendar entry automatically, withoutprompting, in alternate embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5E illustrates a further example of a time programming interface(540) of the cell phone app (101) of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. In some further aspects, before entering informationinto the time programming interface (540), a user first conveys if themessage is to be sent “today” or “another day.”

FIG. 6A illustrates some example source code of the app to enable themessaging control (110), that of connecting between the application onthe message control (110) and an application server. Generally, pleasenote that the following code can represent code from different modules.

FIG. 6B illustrates some example source code of the app to enable themessaging control (110) to help properly index a given message balloonso it can be individually edited.

FIG. 6C illustrates some example source code of the app to enable theindividually-editable message to be sent by the message control (110).

FIG. 6D through FIG. 6H illustrate some example code that defines thefunctionality of messages to help properly index a given message balloonso it can be individually edited when employing the message control(110).

FIG. 7A illustrates some example source code to be used by the alertword control (120) when presenting an alert word to a user

FIG. 7B illustrates some example source code to be used by the alertword control (120) of the present invention when checking for an alertword.

FIG. 7C illustrates example source code for searching for alert words bythe alert word control (120) of the present invention.

FIG. 7D illustrates some example source code to initiate blip timechecking as employed by the blip control (130) of the present invention.

FIG. 7E illustrates some example source code to check individual blipsfor expiration as employed by the blip control (130) of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7F illustrates some example source code for updating an amount oftime remaining for an individual blip and deleting when that timereaches zero, as employed by the blip control (130) of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7H illustrates an example of source code of the timer control(140), wherein a message is sent to a server, such as a PHP backendserver, to create a timer message via the system of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7I illustrates an example of source code used to create an instanceof a timer by the timer control (140) of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example block diagram (700) of a cell phone inwhich the app (101), such as illustrated as occurring on the device(100), can be used. However, other architectures may alternatively beused.

A microprocessor (MPU) (720) provides overall control to the operationof the mobile phone (100) by a control program stored in the memorydevice (715). An analog circuit (740) provides an air-interface to amobile communication system via antenna ANT and a user-interface (750)provides an interface for a user through an LCD display, keypad, andmicrophone. A power and reset circuit (760) is provided to reset andinitialize the MPU (720) and memory (715) upon start-up of the mobilephone 100. The memory device (715) preferably includes a NOR-type flashmemory (710) for storing application programs and user data, and aRandom Access Memory (RAM) for executing the programs.

The NOR-type flash memory (710) is attached to a microprocessor (MPU)(720) so that upon the mobile phone (100) resetting, the MPU (720)generates a dedicated reset vector address, reads a program code fromthe flash memory (710), and performs a program in the RAM (730)according to a program sequence. Moreover, all user data receivedthrough the air, via an antenna ANT, or downloaded from a PC (personalcomputer) could be stored in the NOR-type flash memory (710), being anon-volatile one to be available to a user when necessary. In FIG. 7,the permanent memory of the messaging control (110), the alert wordscontrol (120), the blips control (130), and the timer control (140),which were each flashed to the NOR flash (710), can have instancesthereof residing in the RAM (730), to be processed by the MPU (720).

FIG. 9 illustrates a system (800) displaying the overall structure ofthe system of the present invention, including the communication device(100) having the app (101), intermediate servers (805), and a receivingdevice (812), also having the app (101) (not illustrated). Thecommunication device (100) is coupled via cell phone signals to a firsttower (804). The first tower (804) has a dedicated communication line(808) to a cell provider phone switch (806) over a dedicatedcommunication line (808). The cell provider phone switch (806) isfurther coupled over a dedicated communication line (814) to a secondtower (810). The second tower (810) communicates with the receivingdevice (812). In the illustrated example, a third device, device (816),also including application (101), communicates with the first tower(804). Also, a PHP server (820) is coupled to the cell phone providerswitch (806). The PHP server (820) enables at least the enablement ofthe control timer (140) as is illustrated with FIGS. 6Di-6Dii.

It should be understood that the server(s) in communication with theapplication (101) of the present invention are preferably configured tocompress images, videos, and audio recordings transmitted via the systemof the present invention. This compression is preferably achieved bytranscoding and/or downscaling at the cost of quality, which is notgenerally noticeable to users when viewed via the display of the mobiledevice (100). Bit rate and quantization parameters are preferablyselected such that the quality degradation is not noticeable to users.The aspect ratio of videos and images is not altered due to compression,in order to preserve the user experience. Ideally, compression isprovided via a GPU-optimized algorithm with multiple threading toachieve maximum expediency of message compression and transmission.

Generally, turning to FIGS. 10-30, illustrated are various stages of onexample of a state diagram of interfaces for the app (101) of thepresent invention. Various states will be discussed with moreparticularity, and may also be discussed in relation to other FIGS ofthe present Application, and also the messaging control (110), alertwords (120), blip control (130), and timer control (140) of the presentinvention. Please note that the terms ‘interface’ or ‘screen’ may beused interchangeably. Also, please note that certain screens may not bepresent in certain specific aspects. It should also be noted that someoff-figure transitions are also to be deemed as coupled through matchingletters. Please also note that an example state diagram (900) of FIG. 31refers to the various interfaces illustrated of FIGS. 10-30, althoughother transitions are possible.

FIG. 10 illustrates introduction states to the app (101) of the presentinvention displayed on a state diagram (900) having an introductionscreen (901) of the app (101). The introduction screen (901) transitionsto a mobile number screen (902) and a verification screen (904) of theapp (101), wherein a phone number is verified as shown in FIG. 10. In aninitial profile screen (906), the profile of a user is generated. Theuser is prompted to supply the app (101) with a profile photo and screenname, as shown in profile screen (906). Then via profile verification(908), a profile verification screen is generated when after the profilegenerated in the initial profile screen (906) is being checked forerrors. The state diagram (900) then transitions to screen (910) of FIG.11.

FIG. 11 illustrates the verification complete screen (910) of the statemachine (900), which illustrates that the verification of user input iscomplete. The verification complete screen (910) then transitions to amessaging introduction screen (912). Upon selection of this screen, thestate diagram (900) of the app (101) then transitions to a list ofcontacts on list of contacts screen (914), and from there to screen(916) in FIG. 12.

In FIG. 12, the state machine (900) of FIG. 11 has transitioned fromscreen (914) to the first example of an ongoing conversation screen(916) of the messaging control (110). Please note that, in one aspect,these may be various values which could be stored within the NOR flash(710) of the example block diagram (700) of a cell phone.

FIG. 12 illustrates various aspects of ongoing conversations accordingto the messaging control (110) of the app (101). In the example screen(916), when typing begins, the screen transitions to a screen (918),wherein an editing area is shown to be active due to this typing. In afurther aspect, should an attachment icon (919) be activated, an activearea (921) of a message screen (920) is active.

Then, in FIG. 12, a transition can occur with either the message screen(920) or the message screen (919). The message screen (920) eithertransitions to screen (922) of FIG. 13 or to screen (926) of FIG. 14.However, in an alternative state diagram (not illustrated), thetransitions instead occur from screen (918).

FIG. 13 includes one example of an editing selection screen (922) of themessaging control (110), wherein a previously sent message is selectedto be either deleted or edited. With employment of example code of FIGS.6A, 6B and 6C, advantageously individual messages within messageballoons can be edited instead of an entire conversation of relatedmessage balloons being deleted.

Editing selection screen (922) then transitions to a real time editingscreen (924), wherein a former balloon message is shown (the “oldmessage”) and an edited balloon message is shown (the “new message”.)This then transitions to an updated message screen (926), wherein anedited individual balloon message is shown on both the communicatingmobiles (812), (816) of FIG. 9.

In FIG. 13, illustrated is what an edited message looks like inconversation on a receiver side in a sender screen (926), and what aconversation looks like on a receiver side in a receiver screen (927).Point B shows a message, ‘Hi there’ in the editing selection screen(922), on which the user may long-press on the sent message in order toedit or delete the message permanently from conversation on bothdevices. Note that in screen (926), the message has been edited toinclude an exclamation mark, and the message is marked as edited on bothsender device, shown in screen (926), and the receiver device, shown inscreen (927).

FIG. 14 illustrates another example aspect of the app (101). From acontact profile/freeflow on state is invoked in freeflow turned onscreen (928). This transitions to a freeflow turned on screen (929) ofFIG. 14, which means that ongoing conversations can be monitored in realtime. Moreover, alert words, such as ‘jerk, can also be monitored infreeflow active. With freeflow enabled, a user composing and sending amessage will not receive an alert word warning before sending a messagewith an alert word in it, therefore allowing them to communicateuninterrupted by a warning and instead communicating with freeflow.Active chat screen (929) then transitions to an example screen (930)that has received an alert word when in its freeflow enabled aspect.Screen (930) then transitions to either screen (931) of FIG. 15 orscreen (935) of FIG. 17. In effect, it should be understood that thefreeflow feature of the present invention deactivates the alert wordsfeature of the present invention for that specific conversation and/orcontact.

In FIG. 15, a screen shot (931) is illustrated showing a completedmessage to be sent with the alert word ‘jerk’ contained within themessage. Screen (931) can either transition back to screen (920), oronwards to an example alert word definition in screen (980).

In FIG. 16, for a sake of explanation, wherein programming an alert wordshall be detailed below in a freeflow disabled state (i.e. alert wordsactive), a resulting screen (932) from sending an alert word isillustrated. In this screen (932), the sender is presented with twochoices: screen (933) or screen (934). In screen (933), the sentencewith the offending word (“jerk”) is deleted. In screen (934), the senderis given the option to go back and re-edit/delete the offending word.

In FIG. 17, illustrated is what is seen by the receiver. As isillustrated, screen (935) and screen (936) are the same. However, for agiven alert word that is triggered, and the alert word is edited in thesend screen, such as in screen (937) of a freeflow enabled, the receiverdoes not see that the alert word was nearly sent, as in screen (968).Screen (938) shows a view of the application (110) of the presentinvention after a found alert word was deleted using the delete optionin an ‘Alert word found’ popup dialog.

FIGS. 19 to 20 illustrate screens for programming an alert word via themenu button of the application (110) of the present invention. It shouldbe noted that it is impossible to access screen (980) from screen (930).Screen (980) can only be accessed from using the menu button, which ispreferably only found in the main screen of each major function's page,namely MESSAGES, BLIPS, TIMER, ALERT WORDS and CONTACTS. As illustrated,after hitting the “Alert Words” icon, the screen transitions into ascreen (982), which is an introductory screen. After again invoking thealert word programming functionality (in this example, by invoking a“plus” sign icon (983), also referenced as the add button (185) in thebottom right corner, the screen then transitions into add alert wordscreen (984). This in turn transitions into screen (986) of FIG. 19.

In screen (986) of FIG. 19, the alert word is added. In a screen (988),the alert word is shown as added, as well as any other alert words thatmight be present. The screen (988) then transitions to a screen (990),which illustrates that the alert word can be applied to messaging(chats), blips, connected social media posts/messages, or all. If bothare illustrated, the screen (990) transitions to screen (932), discussedabove.

However, a user may wish to enable an alert word for either themessaging or the blips, but not both. FIG. 20 illustrates how thesealert words may be defined only for one of these, in this case,messaging, although the alternative is also possible.

In FIG. 20, messaging only is selected in a screen (992). In a screen(994), the alert word “jerk” is selected for messaging only. Then in ascreen (996), the word jerk is edited to be “jerky”, which is then shownas being in the list of alert words in a screen shot (998), which thentransitions back to screen (932).

In FIG. 21, a contact info (940) screen is presented to a user. As isillustrated, the contact info screen may be transitioned to (or from)various screens (916), (935), (943), (947) although other screens mayalso transition to contact info.

In FIG. 22, a messages screen (941), illustrates both that one unseenblip is available in the blip inbox, and also that the messagesfunctionality is selected. This can transition into a currentconversations screen (942), alert words screen, blips screen, contactsscreen or main screen (954) of the timer sequence, to be explainedbelow. On the current conversations screen (942), the selection of aparticular person with whom to communicate with by tapping theirconversation will transition into their conversation, as in screen(916). By long-pressing the contact name in screen (942) a user then cantransition into a popup conversation box (943), which can then be eitherbe transitioned into the contact info screen (940). Alternatively,screen (942) can then transition to screen (916).

In FIG. 23, illustrated is a selection of an interface for selectingblips 944. After employment of an icon (987) after seeing a blips alertnotice (989), the screen in this example transitions into a blip alertscreen (945). Please note that the screen says “You have no Blips inyour inbox, yet!” this is only for the first introduction. Also, pleasenote that screen (944) can also transition to screen (954) of the timersequence. The screen (945) then transitions to a screen 946, which is acompose blip screen.

In a FIG. 24, a blip is also being composed. It should be noted thatthere is a timer icon (997), which selects the number of seconds that ablip is to be allowed to exist before it expires, a selection of whichis noted in an interface of timer selection (999).

In FIG. 25, messages that have been sent are shown in a screen (948) asseen by a sender. In a screen (949), a status screen of blips isillustrated. In a screen (950), the sender is notified when a blip isseen by a receiver, and may include a timestamp displaying the date andtime at which the blip was viewed, or the time at which the blipexpired. Please note that the blip preferably remains visible on thesender's screen, and is not permanently deleted after transmission orexpiration.

In FIG. 26, illustrated is what is seen in blips by another user. In ascreen (951), the app (101) receives a blip from another user. In ascreen (952), the pending blips are illustrated. In a step (953), acheckmark (or other indicator) indicates that a received blip has beenselected by the user and therefore can be deleted before the userchooses to view it. The receiving user can choose to view a receivedblip by tapping it, which will open and play/display the blipautomatically, or he or she may decide to delete it without ever seeingit.

FIG. 27 illustrates is a main screen (954) of a timer of the presentinvention. The main screen (954) transitions from screen (941) andscreen (954). The main screen (954) then presents an option screen(955), which is shown only when the user decides to create a new timeritem by tapping the yellow-colored plus sign (983) preferably located atthe bottom right of the main screen (954), which selects whether amessage or a blip is to be sent out at a later time. In a step (956), amessage is selected, although it could have been a blip. In a step(957), a set message timer screen is presented for composing a messagetext.

Turning now to FIG. 28, a screen (958) selects whether the message is tobe sent “today” or another day. If the message is to be sent today,screen (959) is selected by the user. If the message is to be sentanother day, screen (960) is selected.

In screen (959), an exact time for sending “today” will be selected.Alternatively, in step (960), year, month date and time is selected.Screen (959) and screen (960) both preferably transition to screen(961). In screen (961), the time at which the message is to be sent isshown (for example, 8:50 pm.), and the date and the hours remaininguntil a message is sent (in this example, 3 hours 54 minutes.) Then, ina screen (962), the message is composed. Screen (962) then transitionsto a screen (963) of FIG. 29.

In FIG. 29, in the screen (963), illustrated are various pendingmessages. The messages have various priority levels, such as immediate(“red”) which is to be sent within five minutes, intermediate (yellow,sent within an hour), or lower priority (“green”) to be sent after onehour.

In the example state diagram (900), in a step (967), the phrase “See youboth soon” is to be edited. This instead becomes “See you soon.” This isthen illustrated as the message to be sent out in a pending messagesscreen (969). In an alternative screen (971), the message “See you bothsoon” of screen (965) is completely deleted. This is an example ofcooperation with the messaging control (110).

FIG. 30 illustrates a user profile page (973), which brings up aselection screen. Upon selection of the user, the screen thentransitions to screen (975), which allows a user to enter informationregarding himself or herself. The profile page preferably includes auser profile picture or pictures, and may include a current status ofthe user, optionally provided by the user.

FIG. 31 illustrates the state diagram (900) of the present invention.The state diagram (900) illustrates example transitions of variousscreens of the application (101) although other transitions arepossible.

FIG. 32 shows a view of the alert words control (120) including thetrending alert words list (165) and alert words (155) therein.

FIG. 33 displays the pop-up dialog with explanation (175) showing thereasoning behind the inclusion of the alert word of ‘flint’ in the alertwords list (165). As noted by the explanation (175) the user is alertedto the sensitivity present regarding the word ‘flint’ due to the waterof the area (at the time of the message drafting) was under scrutiny forbeing contaminated with lead.

It should be noted that the screenshot feature of the mobile device(100) of the user is disabled during use of the app (101) of the presentinvention, and may not be enabled by either the sender nor the recipientwhile the app (101) is actively in use. It is envisioned that thescreenshot function of the mobile device (100) remains enabled wheneverthe app (101) of the present invention is left running in thebackground, but is not actively shown on the screen of the mobile device(100). As such, it should be understood that the deactivation of thiscommon mobile device feature is critical in providing control overmessages sent by the sender.

Further, it should be understood that when a message is deleted by asender, the message is deleted from the recipient's device as well, evenafter it has been read or buried within the chat history. Deletion mayhappen at the will of the user at any point in the future.

Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood thatvarious adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturingaway from the essence of the present invention. Further, it should beunderstood that the present invention is not solely limited to theinvention as described in the embodiments above, but further comprisesany and all embodiments within the scope of this application.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thepresent invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the present invention and its practicalapplication, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe present invention and various embodiments with various modificationsas are suited to the particular use contemplated.

I claim:
 1. A communication method enacted via a mobile devicecomprising: starting a mobile device application on the mobile device;interfacing the mobile device application with a transmitter of themobile device; writing a text-based message; the mobile deviceapplication transmitting the message; the mobile device applicationreceiving a response message; the mobile device application scheduling ascheduled message to be transmitted at a certain time/date; the mobiledevice application transmitting the scheduled message at the specifiedtime/date; the mobile device application screening messages forblack-listed alert words prior to transmission of messages; the mobiledevice application transmitting blip messages; the blip messagesdisappearing after a pre-determined amount of time has elapsed; and themobile device application deleting all traces of the blip messages aftertransmission.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: the mobiledevice application detecting the presence of a black-listed alert wordwithin the message; the mobile device application displaying a pop-updialog prior to transmission of the message; the pop-up dialog promptingreevaluation of the message; and the pop-up dialog providing thefollowing options: edit the message, delete the message, and send themessage.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the message is a blipmessage.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the message is a social mediapost.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein a screenshot feature of themobile device is disabled.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:the mobile device application cross-referencing the text of thetext-based message against an alert words list prior to messagetransmission.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the alert words listincludes a user-curated alert words list, an employer-curated alertwords list, and a trending alert words list; and wherein the trendingalert words list is aggregated according to the geographical location inwhich the mobile device application is used, news stories pertinent tothe geographical location, and the zeitgeist of the time.
 7. A method ofcommunicating via a mobile device which minimizes the likelihood of thetransmission of a social gaffe comprising: starting a mobile deviceapplication on the mobile device; interfacing the mobile deviceapplication with a transmitter of the mobile device; writing atext-based message; wherein the text-based message contains a tabooword; the mobile device application cross-referencing the text of thetext-based message against a list of alert words, the list of alertwords containing the taboo word; the mobile device applicationidentifying the taboo word as a word potentially capable of causing agaffe if transmitted; instructing the mobile device application to sendthe text-based message; the mobile device application causing a pop-updialog to appear on a screen of the mobile device, the pop-up dialogcontaining an alert regarding the identified taboo word; the pop-updialog prompting a reevaluation of the text-based message; the pop-updialog presenting options to edit, delete, or send the message as-is inan effort to prevent a gaffe; and the mobile device applicationtransmitting the text-based message.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereinthe text-based message is a social media post.
 9. The method of claim 7,wherein the text-based message is a social media message of aconversation.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the text-based messageincludes an audio/visual computer file.
 11. The method of claim 7,further comprising: instructing the mobile device application to deletethe text-based message post-transmission; the mobile device applicationdeleting the text-based message from a recipient mobile device; and themobile device application deleting the text-based message from themobile device, including all history that the message was transmitted.12. The method of claim 11, wherein the recipient mobile device is notalerted to the deletion of the message.
 13. The method of claim 7,wherein the taboo word is displayed in red within the pop-up dialog. 14.The method of claim 7, further comprising: The mobile device applicationadding words to the alert words list based on up-to-date news stories,referenced as trending alert words; and adding words to the alert wordslist related to the geographical location in which the mobile device isdetected based on a geolocation fix obtained via a GPS radio of themobile device.
 15. The method of claim 7, further comprising: addingwords to the alert words list as it relates to an employer such as acompany.
 16. The method of claim 7, wherein the alert words list ispersonally curated by at least one user.